National Republican., 1887-11-19

learned TO dwell with pleasure, |
as a beloved day dream, on the thought OF |
the separation Of these elements. II each
could be housed In separate identities life
would be relieved Of ali that was unbear-
able began to perceive y
the trembling immateriality, the mist-like
tranecieDce, OF this seemingly so old body
In which we walk attired. Certain agents
found TO have the power to shake aud
pluck back that feshy vestment, even as a
wind might toss the curtains OF a pavilion.
not only recognized my natural
body for the mere aura and effulgence OF
certain Of the powers that made up my
spirit, but managed to compound drug
by which these powers should be dethroned
from the supremacy, and a second form
and countenance substituted, none the less
natural to me because they were the ex-
preston and bore the stamp Of lower ele-
ments in my souln
The poet critic, William Winter, aptly re-
marks In his criticism OF Mr.. Mansf1eld's
performance; at ls an assumption, re-
markable for startling intensity and tre-
mendous power. This actor possesses
| great volume Of voice and great impetu-
| osity Of nervous force, and II this effort Of
| bis be viewed simply as execution IL fur
| nishes brilliant and conclusive evidence OF
his exceptional resources and rare pro-
ficiency In the dramatic art. But Mr..
Mansfield rises to q far nobler height than
| tnlb, tOT 06 lb aUle III tnb anu
| associate fmpersonation OF DR.. Jekyn to
interblend the angel with the demon, and
tbus to command q lasting victory, such as
bic baleful image Of the hellish Hyde could
never separately achieve. This is the basis
| Of hIs remarkable success. He Is distinctly
individual in each Of the two eharacters.n
OF bis reasons for changing, for stage
characters as described in the book, Mr..
Mansfield gives the following admirable
explanation OF the rationale Of his DR..
Jekyll and Mr.. Hyde:
"When q character is placed before the
public they see and Judge the living image
Of man, and II he is not rational, and II
he be such man as they have never seen
or heard Of, they won't accept 1t, and what
should be serious would become farce.
Therein lies the great danger Of any adapta.
ton on the stage OF 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr..
HYDE the rock that had to be avoided.
Therefore, were to make DR.. Jekyll a ro.
bust, red-haired, fiorid, everyday Of
hommie," and all the natural procllvities OF
such person depicted IN full sight Of the
audience, ~ would be impossible for them
to believe that such a man could have
for one single instance o double ip oc-
cult. 1t would be impossible for them to
believe for one instant that such man
could lock himself up day after day and
night after night in HIS laboratory, search
ing mysterious power by the aid OF his
science, ard come out Of his laboratory
rosy, bright eyed, and debonnair. 1t would
be impossible for them to imagine this man
as taking drug so powerful as to shake
his system to Its very foundation, and then
GUS passions to which he has thus given full
sway, and to indulge in them for days and
nights, and to appear when this paroxysm
OF excess is over fresh, rosy, bright!eyed,
and debonuair. 1t would be impossible for
them to imagine him, knowing, as Stevenson
has painted him as knowing, the responsI
bility he has incurred by indulging himself,
that he is heart good in contrast to the
demon he is pictured when he Is bad, lie
could not thus forget his responsibility
Therefore, am Obliged to change Mr.. Ste
vensoD's idea somewhat when adapt II
to the stage. am compelled to make DR..
Jekyll dreamer and sad and unhappy
has created. There is love interest intro
duced, and this makes his exposition OF his
unhappiness as to his metamorphosis al
Hyde still more urgent. Engaged to o
lovely girl, and knowing that from time tc
time he Is indulging In these excuses
knowing that he cannot conquer the fend
that Is gradually mastering him, he could
| ply taken Mr.. Stevenson's admirable idea
Tor groundwork. 1t is the moral that wal
4 wanted and the moral Is Oft told, but never
. 80 powerfully told, Of the good man who
discovers pleasure which at last becomes
, vice, and the vice must ultimately master
absolutely all virtue.
"Dr. Jekyll's dress has been criticised b,
some who have not thought. DIR. Jekyl
would, In his constant and unremittin,
search In science and his life In drearnland
be man who would not pay accurate OF
vain attention to the elegance OF his cos
tune, and as he is quaint, extraordinary
, and original In his ideas, so the outward
impress OF the man would bear some touct
! Of that oddness and that quaintness
Again, Mr.. Stevenson has described Dr.
Jekylps rooms as being rich aud elegant
and Hyde's as barren and miserable.
, | upon the above considerations, would In
staptly suggest that DR.. Jekyll would Civ,
!, but little thought to his personal comfort
! while Hyde, with his wild, voluptuous pas
siops, and proud instincts and power whic
! DR.. Jekyll's money affords him, would liv
|, In the very lap Of laseivious and opulen
, luxuries. / may add that have introduced
the feature Of incidental music between tn
acts, relevant to the melancholy nature o
this exposition of the contrasted character
, OF the dreamer and the demon. There
no clap-trap Baby Polka or feet.liftin
popular songs, q custom more to be honore
, In the breach than In the observance. NJ!
|, work, II any thing, is psychological study
, and do not propose to follow the conven
tiopal custom OF using entr'acte musi
which utterly destroys the illusion the artls
has sought to create.'
!, Mr.. Mansfield will be seen at Albau gh'
Opera House next week.